It’s Steep in Swaledale
Last Saturday, I was finally able to break the 21 minute barrier for the popular H10/8 setting a new course pb with a 20.51. Perhaps inspired by 100 greatest climbs, yesterday, I did a very different kind of ride and tackled some of the toughest hills of the Yorkshire Dales. It turned into a long tough day on the bike – 115 miles and 4 big climbs.
Looking towards Reeth in Swaledale
Fleet Moss Climb
The first climb was Fleet Moss (17% - height gain 350 metres) after 35 miles of leaving Menston. There was a fine mist at the top of the climb, it felt like riding into the clouds; it meant the descent had to be taken with care as visibility was much reduced at the top. I’ve also found a bigger obstacle than pedestrians with headphones or white van drivers – sheep! sheep really are a potential menace for the cyclist. They have this habit of running in front of you at the last minute. Rather than run away they seem to run into danger. It can be tricky if you’re descending quickly.
Buttertubs, looking towards Hawes.
Buttertubs Pass
After descending into Hawes, I took the Buttertubs pass over to Muker. The ascent form Hawes is not too bad – max gradient of 17%. The descent into Muker offered great views of Swaledale, with some sharp hairpin descents. After a short respite, there was another climb to Askrigg. This starts off with a really steep 25% section with numerous hairpins. It then levels out, before a long drag to the summit.
The 25% climb to Askrigg.
Coverdale / Park Rash Climb
After racing with a tailwind along the Wensleydale valley to Leyburn, I switched back to Middleham and Coverdale. This was a really difficult section as it was all headwind. The climb is not viciously steep, but, it is very long and undulating. The net gain is not too much, but, it is actually made of many small up and down sections. After innumerable false summits, I was relieved to reach the top of the Park Rash climb near Kettlewell, which afforded great views down to lower Wharfedale.
The descent down Park Rash. – It gets worse later on (25%). But, to be honest, it’s not very practical to stop and take a few photos!
The descent into Kettlewell is very unsatisfying as it requires you to sacrifice a good percentage of your brake blocks on the 25% sharp hairpin descents. It would have been great fun to ascend the other way (at least with fresh legs), but is a pretty tough descent. It wasn’t the first time on the ride, I was glad to have the power of the new Dura Ace Brake blocks. After reaching the valley and escaping the tough cold head wind, I got a second wind and enjoyed the last 25 miles along the relative flat through Grassington,Burnsall and Ilkely. I averaged 16.8mph which shows how tough all the 20-25% climbs were.
Hawes
A good way to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales!
What I ate on Ride
- 6 Kellogs Nutri Grain bars (it’s easy to get sick of same energy bar)
- 1 High 5 Energy bar
- 3 bananas
- 1 flapjack from shop in Middleham
- 2* bottles of High 5 energy drink
- 2 bottles of water
- 1 Tracker Raisin bar.
Yorkshire Dales Cycle Sportive. Etape du Dales is 112 miles but takes in a few different climbs going through Horton in Ribblesdale and Garsdale.
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Awesome dude. You’re going from strength to strength. Probably you will incarnate next time in Lancashire after all this progress!
Thats an awesome average speed considering the route. I bet you had a smashing time as its a lovely part of the world. I lived in Lancashire for a while and I used to love cycling around the Forest of Bowland which is similar to the Dales. Worth a trip if you haven’t been.
Congrats on the 10 time too.